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Atelerix albiventris
Order: Lipotyphla > Family: Erinaceidae > Genus: Atelerix > Species: Atelerix albiventris
Common Name: Four-toed Hedgehog [English]
Type Description
In Schreber, Die Saugethiere, Suppl. 2:22.
Type Locality
Probably Senegal or Gambia; see Allen (1939:20).
Measurements
Head and body: 170-230 mm
Tail length: 20-50 mm
Weight: 270-700 g
Tail length: 20-50 mm
Weight: 270-700 g
Description
The hedgehog is a familiar insectivore, known for the spines that are such an excellent form of defense. By rolling up in a ball, the animal is well protected.
Distribution
Atelerix albiventris is very widespread but intermittently found in drier regions throughout the savanna and semi-arid zones from Senegal in the west to Somalia in the east and south down through Tanzania. (Kingdon, 1984, 1997)
Key References
1. Kingdon, J. 1984. East African mammals: An atlas of evolution in Africa. (Insectivores and Bats). University of Chicago Press, Chicago, 2A:30-36.
2. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 141.
3. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1:170-171, 176-177.
4. Swynnerton, G. H., and R. W. Hayman. 1951. A checklist of the land mammals of the Tanganyika Territory and the Zanzibar Protectorate. Journal of the East African Natural History Society, 20(6):274-392.
2. Kingdon, J. 1997. The Kingdon field guide to African mammals, AP Natural World Academic Press, Harcourt Brace & Company, San Diego, p. 141.
3. Nowak, R. M. 1999. Walker's Mammals of the World. Sixth ed. Johns Hopkins University Press, Baltimore, 1:170-171, 176-177.
4. Swynnerton, G. H., and R. W. Hayman. 1951. A checklist of the land mammals of the Tanganyika Territory and the Zanzibar Protectorate. Journal of the East African Natural History Society, 20(6):274-392.